Śiva-nāma-smaraṇa and Śambhu’s Protective Manifestation
Dāruka Episode
पूजितश्च तदा शंभुः प्रसन्नो ह्यभवत्स्वयम् । अस्त्रं पाशुपतं नाम दत्त्वा राक्षसपुंगवान्
pūjitaśca tadā śaṃbhuḥ prasanno hyabhavatsvayam | astraṃ pāśupataṃ nāma dattvā rākṣasapuṃgavān
当时,圣主商布(Śambhu)受到了如法供奉,便自然而然地欢喜;并将名为“帕舒帕塔”(Pāśupata)的神兵赐予罗刹中最卓越者。
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana account to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
The verse highlights Śiva’s anugraha (grace): when worship is offered with proper reverence, the Lord becomes pleased spontaneously and empowers the devotee—showing that divine favor is rooted in devotion and right approach, not mere status.
Śambhu being “pleased after worship” reflects Saguna Śiva responding to upāsanā (ritual devotion), commonly centered on the Śiva-liṅga. In Shaiva Siddhanta, such worship purifies the paśu (bound soul) and draws the Lord’s grace that loosens pāśa (bondage).
It implies disciplined Śiva-pūjā—liṅgārcana with mantra (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with purity observances; the takeaway is that steady bhakti and correct worship invite Śiva’s protective empowerment.